Method of making jewelry incorporating used parts of a musical instrument

ABSTRACT

A method of making jewelry ( 10 ) incorporating a used part ( 12 ) of a musical instrument ( 14 ). The method broadly includes the steps of: obtaining a used part ( 12 ) of a musical instrument ( 14 ); and making at least one item of jewelry ( 10 ) making the used part ( 12 ). The performance is preferably by a famous musician, such that association of the used part ( 12 ) of the musical instrument ( 14 ) with the musician increases the value of the resulting jewelry ( 10 ) incorporating the used part ( 12 ). In a first preferred embodiment, the musical instrument ( 14 ) is a string instrument ( 14 ), and the used part ( 12 ) is a used string ( 12 ). In a second preferred embodiment, the used part ( 12 ) is a used pick ( 12 ).

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a nonprovisional and claims priority benefit, with regard to all common subject matter, of an earlier-filed U.S. provisional patent application titled “METHOD OF MANUFACTURING JEWELRY WITH USED PARTS OF A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT”, Ser. No. 60/464,326, filed Apr. 21, 2003. The identified earlier-filed application is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to jewelry. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of making jewelry incorporating used parts of a musical instrument played by a musician.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Record companies and recording studios are increasingly giving less of the revenue from music sales to the musicians themselves. Moreover, many musicians are unable to sign recording deals at all, and therefore must find alternative forms of revenue beyond album sales. Many musicians often attempt to increase revenue through merchandising. Such merchandise may include, for example, t-shirts, caps, and mugs. Unfortunately, such merchandising efforts are largely ineffective, because the amount a buyer is willing to pay for such items is limited.

[0006] In contrast, many buyers are often willing to pay relatively large sums for merchandise directly associated with the musician, such as, for example, items signed by the musician or worn by the musician. Such items are usually rare, which further increases their value. Additionally, the sentimental value placed on these items is often reflected in the monetary value a buyer is willing to pay to own the item.

[0007] Unrelated to the need to increase revenue is the disposal of used parts from musical instruments played by musicians. Used parts of musical instruments that are continually used include strings on a string instrument, picks, and reeds on a woodwind instrument. Many musicians who play string instruments, for example, often discard the used strings, which are considered as waste with little monetary value. The used stings are commonly made of recyclable materials, yet few used strings are recycled.

[0008] Accordingly, there is a need for a method of increasing revenue of musicians and other individuals that overcomes the limitations of the prior art. Further, there is a need for a method of recycling or reusing used strings and other parts from musical instruments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention solves the above-described problems and provides a distinct advance in the art of making jewelry. More particularly, the present invention provides a method for increasing revenue for musicians and recycling a used part of a musical instrument by incorporating the used part in the jewelry, wherein the musical instrument is played by the famous individual in a performance, and the jewelry incorporating the used part is accorded a higher value because of the famous individual's association with the used part.

[0010] The method of the present invention broadly includes the steps of obtaining a used part of a musical instrument; and making at least one item of jewelry incorporating the used part. The used part may be, for example, a used string or a used pick from a musical instrument. The used part is preferably obtained from the instrument either by the musician donating the used part or by the musician selling the used part. Once removed from the musical instrument, the used part is incorporated into the item of jewelry. For example, if the used part is the used string, then a necklace may be made, wherein the used string is a string of the necklace. If the used part is the used pick, the pick may be strung on a necklace and serve as a pendant.

[0011] The method described herein has several advantages. First, the present invention provides a method of generating revenue for famous individuals by associating the used part of the musical instrument played by the individual with the item of jewelry. Second, the present invention recycles or reuses the used part, instead of merely disposing of the used part, by incorporating the used part into the item of jewelry. The item of jewelry has increased value due to the incorporated used part's association with the musician.

[0012] These and other important aspects of the present invention are described more fully in the detailed description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0013] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a flow diagram depicting the method of making jewelry incorporating used parts of a musical instrument;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a depiction of a musician playing the musical instrument;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a used string obtained from the musical instrument, wherein multiple segments of the used string are braided for incorporation in the jewelry;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the jewelry, specifically a necklace, incorporating the used string having ornamental features secured thereto;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a bow used to play the musical instrument, wherein the used strings of the bow are incorporated into the jewelry;

[0019]FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a pick used to play the musical instrument, wherein the pick is incorporated into the jewelry; and

[0020]FIG. 7 is a plan view of the jewelry illustrating an alternative necklace incorporating the used string.

[0021] The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Turning now to the drawing figures, and particularly FIGS. 1-3, a method of making jewelry 10 shown and described constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the method of making jewelry 10 broadly includes the steps of: obtaining a used part 12 of a musical instrument 14, as depicted in Box 1A; and making at least one item of jewelry 10 incorporating the used part 12, as depicted in Box 1B. Since items touched, owned, or otherwise associated with a musician often have increased monetary value, the present invention provides a method for the musician to increase revenue. Further, the present invention provides a method by which used parts 12 of the musical instrument 14 may be recycled or reused.

[0023] Preferably, the musical performance is performed by the musician, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Other famous or public individuals, such as, for example, an actor, are also within the scope of the present invention. The musical performance may be any performance wherein the musical instrument 14 is played by the musician. For example, the musical instrument 14 may be played during recording of a song or during a concert. Alternatively, the musical instrument 14 may be owned and played by the musician, but not necessarily during a public performance. As can be appreciated, used parts 12 from musical instruments 12 played during a significant or famous performance may have increased value.

[0024] The musical instrument 14 is preferably a string instrument 14, such as, for example, a guitar, a violin, a cello, or a piano. The musical instrument 14 need not be owned by the musician, nor must the musical instrument 14 be the primary instrument 14 played by the musician. However, if the particular musical instrument 14 played by the musician is also well-known, the used part 12 from the particular musical instrument 14 may have increased value.

[0025] In a first preferred embodiment, the used part 12 is preferably a used string 12 of the musical instrument 14 played by the famous musician. It is within the ambit of the present invention that the string 12 need be used only once to be accorded increased value with respect to the string's association with the musician. The used string 12 of the present invention may encompass a variety of materials, shapes, and lengths. For example, guitar strings 12 may be made of nylon, stainless steel, bronze, phosphor-bronze, silk, or nickel. Further, the used string 12 may be flat-wound, semi-round, or round-wound. Many strings 12 are often comprised of multiple strings (not shown) and are tightly wound to form one larger diameter string 12. The present invention includes the used string 12 being a single string and the used string 12 comprising one or more strings formed to be one string.

[0026] The used string 12 may also be treated so as to resist corrosion and general wear from the environment and the body oils produced by a wearer of the jewelry 10. Additionally, the used string 12 may be coated, dyed, or otherwise colored to match a particular color of the jewelry 10. Further, since many used strings 12 are easily broken, the used string 12 may be treated to resist breaking. The used string 12 may also be divided into a plurality of segments for incorporation in a plurality of items of jewelry 10.

[0027] The used string 12 may also be obtained from a bow 16 of the musical instrument 14, as illustrated in FIG. 5. For example, violins, violas, cellos, and other similar instruments are normally played with the bow 16. Since the strings 12 of the bow 16 are often thin, multiple used strings 12 may be used to make or manufacture the item of jewelry 10. The strings 12 from the bow 16 may also be used to accentuate the ornamental effect of the jewelry 10. For example, multiple bow strings 12 may be braided and then interwoven amongst wire, cloth, or other common materials used for the particular item of jewelry 10.

[0028] After the musician plays the musical instrument 14 in the performance, the used string 12 is removed from the musical instrument 14. The used string 12 may be obtained in a variety of ways, including being donated by the famous musician or being sold by the famous musician. Preferably, the date and location of the performance or the playing of the musical instrument 14 is documented, and such information is included when selling the jewelry 10 having the used string 12. The information may also be included in a certificate of authenticity, and the certificate of authenticity may be signed by the musician. Further, the performance of the musician playing the musical instrument 14 may be recorded, both in audio and visual form, and such recording may also be included with the jewelry 10.

[0029] Once removed from the musical instrument 14, the used string 12 is incorporated into at least one item of jewelry 10. The jewelry 10 may be any ornament intended to be worn on a person's body, including, but not limited to, a necklace, a bracelet, a watch, a headband, an ankle chain, a ring, earrings, a belt, a hair barrette, a pin, etc. In preferable form, the jewelry 10 is manufactured to be substantially comprised of the used string 12. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7, a necklace is substantially comprised of the used string 12. Beads, pearls, gemstones, a pendant, or other ornamental features 15 may be strung on or otherwise affixed to the used string 12.

[0030] Alternatively, multiple used strings 12 or multiple segments of the used string 12 may be braided, roped, or otherwise formed to be incorporated into the jewelry 10, as illustrated in FIG. 3. As with the bow strings 12, the used string 12 may be interwoven amongst wire, cloth, or other common materials used for the particular item of jewelry 10.

[0031] The jewelry 10 may also include the used string 12 as an ornamental piece or otherwise incorporate the used string 12 in the jewelry 10. For example, the used string 12 or a portion thereof may be braided, roped, or otherwise formed to be an ornamental design on the jewelry 10. Alternatively, the used string 12 could be formed as a pendant or charm. For example, the used string 12 could be shaped in a particular form, such as a person's name, a symbol, or other interesting shape.

[0032] In preferable form, the used string 12 is molded, formed, secured to, or otherwise cooperating with at least one accessory 18. For example, if the used string 12 is made into a necklace, the ends of the string 12 may be provided with a clasp 18, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7, for securing the necklace around a wearer's neck. If, for example, the used string 12 is made into a ring, the string 12 may be molded or formed around a ring-shaped substrate 18 to provide support for the string 12. If the string 12 is bent or formed into a pendant, a securing loop 18 may be secured to the used string 12 through which a necklace may be strung for wearing the used string pendant around a wearer's neck. Other examples of accessories 18 that the used string 12 may cooperate with are possible, and the above examples are not intended to be limiting.

[0033] A second preferred embodiment is substantially similar to the first preferred embodiment, except that other used parts 12 of the musical instrument 14 may be incorporated into the item of jewelry 10, as opposed to the used string 12. The used parts 12 incorporated into the item of jewelry 10 may include used parts 12 for playing the musical instrument 14, such as a pick 14. For example, the pick 14 may be used as a pendant on a necklace or a belt, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Alternatively, the pick 14 may be incorporated into a hair barrette. As with the previous embodiment, the pick 14 may be obtained from the famous musician after the musician has used the pick 14 in the performance. The item of jewelry 10 manufactured with the pick 14 preferably includes documentation of the date and location the pick 14 was used in the performance.

[0034] Although the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims. For example, other used parts 12 of the musical instrument 14 other than the string 12 and pick 12 may be used, such as a reed from a woodwind instrument. The reed may be inlaid with other materials to form a pendant. 

Having thus described the preferred embodiment of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following:
 1. A method of making jewelry comprising the steps of: obtaining a used part of a musical instrument; and making at least one item of jewelry incorporating the used part.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the musical instrument was played by a famous musician.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the musical instrument is a guitar.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the used part is a used string.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the item of jewelry is a necklace.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the used string is incorporated as a string of the necklace.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the used string is treated to resist breaking.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the used part is at least one string from a bow used to play the musical instrument.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the used part is a pick for playing the musical instrument.
 10. A method of making jewelry comprising the steps of: obtaining a musical instrument used by a musician in a performance; removing a used part from the musical instrument; and making at least one item of jewelry incorporating the used part.
 11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the date and location of the performance is documented and such documentation is included with the item of jewelry.
 12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein a recording of the performance is included with the item of jewelry.
 13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the musical instrument is played by a famous musician during the performance.
 14. An item of jewelry comprising: at least one accessory; and a used part of a musical instrument played by a musician, wherein the used part cooperates with the accessory, such that the accessory and used part form the item of jewelry.
 15. The item of jewelry claimed in claim 14, wherein the musical instrument is a guitar, and the used part is a used string of the guitar.
 16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the item of jewelry is a necklace, the used string is a string of the necklace, and the accessory is a clasp secured to the ends of the string for securing the necklace around a wearer's neck.
 17. The item of jewelry claimed in claim 14, wherein the item of jewelry is selected from the group consisting of: a bracelet, a watch, a headband, an ankle chain, a ring, earrings, a belt, a hair barrette, and a pin.
 18. The item of jewelry claimed in claim 14, wherein the used part is formed to be an ornamental design on the item of jewelry. 